The Advantage of Beginnings
For those of us who distinctly remember all of the technological milestones that paved the way for our now mobile-first, soon-to-be-sentient digital lives, the pace of innovation today is truly remarkable. Early brick phones, the birth of the Internet and even email are seemingly light years in the past as we make way for AI, VR, IoT, drones, and cloud computing.
What will catch on next? What will be the next major milestone? Is innovation happening so fast that it will all be just a blur? Or worse, have we lost our ability to imagine what could be or how things were?
A brief pause to take in the view
At Tanvas, we have a unique vantage point. Our touchscreen technology has moved out of the lab and is now on course toward the path of general availability.
We are bringing surface haptics to market, a new branch of haptic technology that dynamically changes the feel of a surface. In short, our technology enables you to feel what you see on a touchscreen.
It’s equal parts exhilarating and exhausting to be at the beginning of something so new. Just thinking about the limitless applications that can be enabled, emboldened and elevated by the sense of touch can be overwhelming.
This is particularly true in today’s climate where market forces, public opinion, and a multitude of distractions can muddle the lens of any entrepreneurial team. One thing on which we all agree is that it’s important to make sure the technology has the best chance to reach the broadest audience.
Startup chasms and curses
As a startup team, there is no shortage of advice about how to build a company and get your product to market. Beware! It’s dangerous to move too slow. Look out! There are risks of moving too fast. Achtung! Make sure you choose the right partners. So. Many. Landmines.
By taking the path of least resistance, you may end up the Land of Meh. Trudging down the path of most resistance may earn you startup street cred, but to what end if your technology is left battle-scarred, shuddering in a corner?
We’ve seen this movie before where — often through no fault of their own — some of the most promising ideas never make it to market. Or, by the time the big idea does get there, it’s a mere shadow of itself, barely recognizable from its shiny lab debut.
We’ve read the books. We’ve listened to the pundits and naysayers. Yet, we remain stubbornly optimistic. When you’re just starting out, there is nothing but greenfield ahead, but there are also many mistakes to be made. Like many builders, our past failures are badges of honor, proof that we’ve had our share of brilliance relegated to virtual cutting room floors.
We’re also realists. There’s a huge chasm that awaits anyone trying to change the status quo. In order for people to get excited about the mere idea that their touchscreens can, in fact, touch back, we have a tall mountain to climb and many minds to win over.
Down with sensory underload
Do people miss the fact that an entire sense is missing from our day-to-day interactions with our touchscreens? Likely not. Today, the relationship we have with our touchscreens is deeply felt. Yet, it is without feeling.
Innovation in haptics is happening all around us. Just look at what Ultrahaptics is doing to make virtual reality feel real.
We’ll be the first to admit that we don’t know everything, nor do we know everyone. One thing we do know is that we want built this technology for everyone. It can enhance so many experiences — many of which we have yet to uncover.
The advantage of beginnings is that we see nothing but possibility. We can collectively root for wide adoption, for an inclusive movement that sweeps innovation to the masses in a way that benefits everyone.
Naturally, we have some ideas about how to best do that. But first, it starts with this. Talking about the possibility and — for a moment — relishing in this temporary state of the unknown, full of wonder and potential.
This is why we can have nice things.
Someday — perhaps sooner than later — we won’t be able to imagine what life was like before our touchscreens could touch back.
We’re not going to do this alone — not by any stretch. In fact, the only way we’ll fulfill the promise of surface haptics is with the input, creativity, curiosity and chuztpah of the inspired creators of tomorrow.
What will you build? What can you imagine?
We welcome you to join us on this journey. If you have a touchscreen-enabled product that would be enhanced by the addition of touch or you’re a developer looking to “haptify” an existing game or build one specifically for the purpose of showcasing the power of touch, please reach out.
